Environment Campaigners Say North Sea Oil Spills Exceed Safe Level

Oil spilled routinely into UK waters over five years has added up to thousands of tonnes of pollution endangering marine life, according to data shown exclusively to BBC News.

Campaigners say the data shows some spills hit areas meant to protect wildlife including porpoises and orcas.

While some oil spillage is allowed in production, they say 40% of monitored releases breached permits.

An industry representative said it takes all releases very seriously.

Energy campaigning group Uplift obtained the data through Freedom of Information requests to the offshore oil and gas regulator, the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning.

Uplift’s analysis suggested that between 2017 and 2022, 22,000 metric tonnes of oil were discharged in UK waters, or 164,000 barrels. In comparison, the Poole Harbour spill in March leaked 200 barrels of reservoir fluid which contains some oil.

Uplift, which campaigns to transition from oil and gas to green energy, said its findings showed the oil and gas industry was spilling far more oil than the government says is safe.

“This is the first time we are revealing the extent of this cumulative pollution. This is what happens when you’ve got spills constantly leaking. You’ve got tar balls and droplets falling to the bottom of the ocean, threatening wildlife,” Uplift Director Tessa Khan said.

Companies are allowed to release some oil including in so-called produced water – found within rocks alongside oil and gas – as a by-product of routine production. They are given permits that allow discharges.

Uplift’s analysis suggested 58% of releases were allowed under those government permits. The remaining 42% breached the permits.

Uplift also worked with another NGO, SkyTruth, which analysed satellite pictures of UK waters. Images from 2020 to 2022 also show large numbers of oil spills.

Some of the slicks detected were 10km long and one cumulative slick extended to an area of 91 sq km.